After a 12-year hiatus, the City of Cape Town honoured "exceptional Capetonians" at an awards ceremony on Wednesday.

The Civic Honours ceremony was held in the City Council Chambers.

Since 12 years have passed since the City last bestowed civic honours on locals, a larger-than-usual group was honoured this year.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the awards recognise the contributions of "some truly remarkable people", their achievements and the impact they've made in society.

Among those honoured were global music star Jonathan Butler; political satirist and playwright Pieter-Dirk Uys; lawyer, activist and former Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs; and humanitarian and founder of Gift of the Givers Foundation Imtiaz Sooliman. 

The following people were recorded in the Civic Honours Book:

• lawyer, activist and former Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs;
• South African playwright Athol Fugard;
• South African test cricketer Basil D'Oliveira (posthumous);
• social justice advocate and philanthropist, Bennie Rabinowitz;
• musician Brenda Fassie (posthumous);
• Afrikaans poet, painter and former political prisoner, Breyten Breytenbach;
• South African women's soccer coach, Desiree Ellis;
• World War II fighter pilot hero, and anti-apartheid activist, AG "Sailor" Malan (posthumous);
• humanitarian and founder of Gift of the Givers Foundation, Imtiaz Sooliman;
• musician Jonathan Butler;
• political satirist, playwright and HIV/Aids educator, Pieter-Dirk Uys;
• teenage interpreter and peace broker between the Khoi and the Dutch in the 17th Century, Krotoa (posthumous);
• and social, education and climate justice activist, and Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba.

"This honour recognises public service to Cape Town that is exceptionally meritorious or impactful in any field of social, community or civic interest. These recipients have generally achieved extraordinary acclaim in their chosen field, have won international recognition for their talent or contribution, or distinguished themselves with extraordinary community service," he said.

Several mayor's medals were also conferred on the following people or associations who served communities with a high degree of dedication and sacrifice:

• The Friends of Mostert's Mill;
• Founders of The Clothing Bank, Tracey Chambers and Tracey Gilmore;
• Ladles of Love's Danny Diliberto;
• The late Shaleen Surtie-Richards;
• Langa's Busy Bees Rugby Club;
• The late Hank Lith of Claremont Arderne Gardens;  
• Zoë Prinsloo of Save a Fishie;
• The Volunteer Wildfire Services;
• and state capture corruption buster, Athol Williams.

"While those we honour today seldom do these things for recognition, we want to pause to recognise them and say thank you," said Hill-Lewis.

"We will not forget you. Not only because your name is now forever recorded in our records, but because you made a lasting impression through your deeds."